IT may have won him an Oscar, but it seems Russell Crowe's performance in the film Gladiator was not as authentic as some fans might have liked.

Far from donning armour and protective clothing, evidence discovered by two amateur archaeologists supports the theory that gladiators either wore very little or nothing at all.

A figure found in the River Tees appears to show a gladiator wearing only a G-string, and holding what looks to be a whip.

The figure, thought to be the only one of its kind, was recovered from the river at Piercebridge, near Darlington, by Rolfe Mitchinson and Bob Middlemass.

They have been diving in the river for nearly 20 years. As well as finding the site of a Roman bridge, they have uncovered coins, jewellery and other artefacts.

The items are being catalogued by Philippa Walton, finds liaison officer for the Portable Antiquities Scheme, which records archaeological discoveries made by the public.

She said the figure was from a piece of Roman pottery, and may have been made in Spain.

She said: "Roman gladiators often fought with very little armour, and you do get gladiators on pots, but I can't think of one who you can see is wearing a G-string."